Comparing Sex Education in Nova Scotia from 2012 to 2021 – Parents and Biology are Now Out
This article is reprinted with permission by anonymous parent Shooting Star @turnthetide2018.
On July 7, 2021, Twitter user Shooting Star published the following tweet thread on July 7, 2021. In it, they compared the Nova Scotia sex education curriculum documents for 11-12 year-old/Grade 7 students from the years 2012 and 2021. To see the side-by-side comparison is quite an eye opener. It is clear that parents are now out and gender ideology is now in.
Following is a comparison of certain topics in the 2012 and 2021 editions of the book.
The Nova Scotia website shows the 2016 edition.
2012:
2021:
In 2012, sexuality and gender are each given their own pages. Advice on medicalizing gender distress is offered.
2012:
In 2021, sexuality and gender are given more room, particularly for the development of gender concepts, and the section contains a new guide for LGBTQQ2S+ terms.
2021:
Once again in 2021, a page is devoted to gender distress with the option to consider changes to your body with hormones and surgeries.
In 2012, students are directed to their parents as a source of information and help because “No one cares about more than they do, and it’s worth listening to different points of view. “Parent” is used six times.
In 2021, someone’s “relationship to you does not automatically make them knowledgeable, trustworthy, or safe.” The word “parent” is used once, in a list also including teacher, friend of the family, and coach.
If the child does not feel safe talking to their parent, a definition for “Chosen family” is helpfully provided in the Useful Information section.
Regarding biology, in 2012, we have the use of “female” and “male” along with specific risks per each sex, organized with cervical cancer after the female diagram and testicular cancer after the male. Girls, women, and young men are also mentioned.
In 2021, we have “Genitalia and Gonads” separated by “likely assigned M or F at birth.”
The two diagrams are together, and the cancer pages come after. Students are referred to as youth with cervixes or people with testicles.
And lastly, for kids wondering about confidentiality, parents are #1 on the list in 2012.
In 2021, parents don’t appear in that section at all, except to say that information can be kept secret from them.
2012:
2021:
Thank you, Shooting Star, for taking the time to make very clear exactly how much has changed in less than 10 years.
